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NETHERLANDS.

Colonies.

The colonial possessions of the Netherlands embrace an area of 651,267 English square miles, with an estimated population of 18,371,200. They are placed under three groups, namely : —

Colonies

Area in English square miles

Population

Possessions in the East Indies „ „ West Indies Settlements on the West Coast of Africa

Total ....

585,723

54.187 11,357

18,175,595

85,605

110,000

651,267

18,371,200

Of the colonial possessions here summarised, the East Indian island of Java, possessing Avith the adjoining Madura, an area of 2,445 geographical, or 51,336 English square miles, with a popula- tion, in 1861, of 13,019,108 souls, is by far the most important. Administered as dependencies of Java, are the whole of the other possessions of the Netherlands in the East Indies.

The direct revenue derived from the Colonial Possessions is in- sufficient to cover the expenditure of the Netherlands ; but the deficit incurred is more than made good by the profits derived by the home government from the sale of colonial produce, chiefly coffee, sugar, indigo and cochineal, and tin, on what is called the Consig- nation system. From documents issued by the Colonial Office in September, 1866, it appears that the total amount realised by the Government in 1864, from its importations from the colonies, was 57,852,700 guilders, or 4,821, 058Z. The expenses incurred for administrative charges of the colonies during the year amounted to 46,753,541 guilders, which left the home power a balance of profit of 11,099,159 guilders, or 924,930Z.

The total values of imports of colonial produce into the kingdom by the ' Netherlands Trading Company,' acting as Government brokers, in the ten years 1858-67 were as follows : —

Years

Imports

Years

Imports

1858 1859 1860 1861 1862

Guilders 89,130,684 86,272,453 82,215,868 80,813,605 86,216,143

1863 1864 1865 1866 1867

Guilders 78,127,899 80,563,452 82,773,970 79,803,938 71,990,344